New Books in Critical Theory Bryon L. Garner, "Black Veteranality: Military Service and the Illusion of Inclusive Patriotism" (Routledge, 2025)
Aug 13, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Bryon L. Garner, a former Navy serviceman and author of *Black Veteranality*, delves into the nuanced relationship between race and American patriotism. He candidly shares personal stories and sheds light on the moral injuries faced by Black veterans. The conversation highlights their complex identity, the struggle against systemic biases, and the need for a more inclusive narrative of military service. Garner advocates for recognizing the overlooked contributions of Black veterans while confronting the realities of exclusion in a country that claims to embody inclusivity.
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Broaden Patriotic Cultural References
- Expand patriotic references to include diverse cultural touchstones and performers.
- Garner suggests acknowledging Black artists and cultural moments as legitimate patriotic symbols.
Not One Of Us At The Gun Shop
- Garner recounts buying a gun and meeting an Army veteran who said, "you're a veteran, but you're not one of us."
- That exchange crystallized the belonging-without-belonging tension many Black veterans feel.
Visibility Shapes Veteran Belonging
- Military and public imagery often omit Black service members from central roles, reinforcing exclusion.
- Garner ties film and recruitment images to unequal public recognition and belonging.
